Xuzhou Guishan Scenic Area

Xuzhou Guishan Scenic Area

Xuzhou Guishan Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

• Admire a dazzling array of stone carvings in the Jiangnan-style garden of Dianshi Garden.

Scenic Area Introduction

The Guishan Scenic Area is located in the northwestern suburbs of Xuzhou, approximately 10 kilometers from the city center. It includes three main attractions: the Guishan Han Tomb, Dianshi Garden, and the Xuzhou Imperial Edict Museum. It is recommended for enthusiasts of Han culture and tomb exploration enthusiasts. “No need to visit other tombs after returning from Xuzhou,” as the Guishan Han Tomb, the core attraction, stands out among Xuzhou’s Han tombs for its high level of craftsmanship and precision. The passageways are smoothly polished, complete with toilets and wells, allowing you to enter the underground palace and observe the internal structure of the tomb. The exquisite stone carvings in Dianshi Garden and the ancient artifacts in the Imperial Edict Museum will bring pleasant surprises to your trip.

The main gate of the scenic area is on the west side, facing the entrance of the Guishan Han Tomb. The tomb has two 56-meter-long passageways. The southern one houses Liu Zhu, the sixth-generation King of Chu of the Western Han Dynasty, while the northern one holds his wife. Liu Zhu had 10 chambers, and his wife had 5. In the rear chambers, a connecting passageway links the two main ones, so you don’t have to backtrack. Interestingly, the two passageways are almost perfectly parallel, and a red laser beam in the southern passageway allows visitors to appreciate just how straight it is.

At the entrance of the tomb passage stands a stone slab inscribed with “The Hundredth Stone,” which reads: “There’s nothing valuable in my tomb, Liu Zhu. Spare this dead man, you tomb raiders.” Unfortunately, the Guishan Han Tomb was looted officially as early as the Wang Mang period. Don’t miss the blocking stones placed in the square outside to seal the tomb passages—notice the carved “ox nose holes” at the front ends of the stone slabs, which give an idea of how they were dragged out by tomb robbers.

Walking into the southern passageway, you’ll find that Liu Zhu enjoyed a rather comfortable underground life. The chambers representing the stable and kitchen both have wells dug inside; the toilet features a high-end squatting pit with a backrest and armrests on the right. The front hall not only has a sloped roof but also a grand central pillar carved into the rock. In the original coffin chamber of the King of Chu to the east of the front hall, signs of collapse can be seen—this is why Liu Zhu was moved to the western coffin chamber. On the walls of the current coffin chamber, you can see life-sized “shadows” of the “King of Chu Welcoming Guests,” which remain one of the most mysterious unsolved puzzles of the Guishan Han Tomb.

The arched doorway in Liu Zhu’s front hall leads to his wife’s chamber for ritual music instruments. From there, heading north takes you to the kitchen chamber, while going east leads to the wife’s front hall. The ceiling of the front hall has many protruding O-shaped stone bumps, another great mystery of the tomb, said to symbolize the stars in the night sky. Further east lies the wife’s coffin chamber. Returning to the tomb entrance via the northern passageway, you’ll also find the wife’s carriage and horse chamber along the corridor. Most of the displays inside the Guishan Han Tomb are replicas, though some genuine artifacts, such as Liu Zhu’s silver seal with a turtle-shaped knob, can be seen at the Xuzhou Museum.

Just 100 meters north of the Guishan Han Tomb entrance is Dianshi Garden. In this Jiangnan-style garden, you’ll find a rich collection of stone tablets, stone beasts, and other carvings. The stone pagoda by the pond and the vine-covered memorial archway are perfect for photos. The white marble stone sheep and white marble stone tiger in the main exhibition hall are the “treasures of the garden.”

Another 100 meters north of Dianshi Garden is the Xuzhou Imperial Edict Museum, divided into three major sections: “By the Mandate of Heaven,” “China’s Imperial Examination,” and “Its Collection Is Comprehensive.” The dragon throne at the entrance of the “By the Mandate of Heaven” section can be sat on for photos at an additional fee of about 30 RMB. The most fascinating imperial edicts on display include the “Hereditary Without Abolition Hand-Painted Dragon-Bordered Imperial Edict,” which spans the reigns of Emperors Daoguang and Xianfeng, featuring a colorful background surrounded by dragons. In the “China’s Imperial Examination” section, a tiny cheat sheet for the Four Books and Five Classics, no larger than half a palm but containing over 200,000 characters, is truly astonishing. The “Its Collection Is Comprehensive” section showcases pottery, bronzes, jade artifacts, porcelain, and ancient costumes.

Special Tips

1. It’s best to hire a guide or rent an audio guide when visiting the Guishan Scenic Area, as exploring on your own may not reveal all the details. Guides can be booked at the ticket office for a 60 RMB fee per tour, covering the Guishan Han Tomb, Dianshi Garden, and Xuzhou Imperial Edict Museum. Audio guides are also available for rent at the ticket office for 10 RMB, plus a 200 RMB deposit and ID. One audio guide covers all three attractions and operates via induction.

2. There are few dining options within the Guishan Scenic Area, though there are supermarkets and small restaurants near the entrance. As the area is located in the suburbs, it’s advisable to bring some snacks.

3. About 2.5 kilometers south of the Guishan Scenic Area is the Jiuli Mountain Ancient Battlefield, which doesn’t have much to see, but you can also visit the Baiyun Cave (Temple). Since Bus 37, which goes to the Guishan Scenic Area, also passes by Jiuli Mountain, get off at the “Gerui Industrial Company” stop, walk southeast along the West Third Ring Road for 300 meters to Xiangwang South Road, then walk north for 5–10 minutes to reach it. Consider combining the visits.

Address: No. 3, Xiangwang North Road, Gulou District, Xuzhou

Type: Garden/Museum/Cemetery/Tomb Site

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Phone: 0516-85770107

Official Website: http://www.guishanhanmu.com/

Opening Hours:

Monday–Sunday 8:30–17:30

Ticket Information:

Adult ticket: 80 RMB (includes Guishan Han Tomb, Dianshi Garden, and Xuzhou Imperial Edict Museum). Children between 1.2 m and 1.5 m (inclusive) and students with valid IDs receive half-price tickets. Children under 1.2 m (inclusive), seniors over 60, retired cadres, active-duty military personnel, and people with disabilities are admitted free of charge with valid IDs.